A condition where the harder and more fiberous outside of the intervertebral disc is torn or damaged. This allows for the softer interior to buldge out sometimes impingling upon the spinal cord.

Many patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the gelatinous material (nucleus pulposus) in the centre of the disc is pushed out through weak areas in the fiberous outer layer of the disc (annulus fibrosus). When this happens the herniated material pushes and irritates the spinal nerve roots or the spinal cord causing neurological symptoms. The lower lumbar spine is the most common area for this to occur. The cervical spine is the second most common. Herniated discs in the thoracic area (mid-back) are the least common.

Read what some of our patients tell us.

Low Back Pain	Harry
Herniated Disc	Gilles
Head aches & Neck Pa…	Pam